§ 19. Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he is making of the total cost to water companies of removing nitrates and fertilisers from public water supplies in pursuance of the European Community directive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoAssessment of the financial impact of European directives and other obligations on water companies are carried out by the Director General of Water Services. I understand from him that to meet the costs of implementing the nitrate standards in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations in England and Wales, water companies' capital expenditure programmes have included –74 million to the year 1991–92 and are at present forecast to require a further £120 million to the year 2000—at 1992–93 prices.